Vim Alternatives for Mac

There are many alternatives to Vim for Mac if you are looking for a replacement. The best Mac alternative is Visual Studio Code, which is free. If that doesn't suit you, our users have ranked more than 100 alternatives to Vim and loads of them are available for Mac so hopefully you can find a suitable replacement. Other interesting Mac alternatives to Vim are Sublime Text, VSCodium, Neovim and Geany.

Vim alternatives are mainly Text Editors but may also be Code Editors or IDEs. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Vim.

Vim alternatives page was last updated

Vim

1278

Free • Open Source
Text Editor

Vim ("Vi IMproved") is an advanced text editor that allows syntax highlighting, word completion and has a huge...

More about Vim

Visual Studio Code
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Proprietary
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Online
Chrome OS
188 Visual Studio Code alternatives
Visual Studio Code is a free and extensible code editor for building web, desktop, and mobile applications, using any programming language and framework.
- - Visual Studio Code is the most popular Web-based, Mac & Linux alternative to Vim.
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Visual Studio Code Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsVisual Studio Code can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. AutocompletionVisual Studio Code can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
3. Syntax HighlightingVisual Studio Code supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. Git SupportVisual Studio Code supports Git, a free and open source distributed version control system.
5. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Visual Studio Code.
6. Dark ModeVisual Studio Code supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
7. Support for MarkDownVisual Studio Code supports MarkDown for document formatting.
8. WYSIWYG HTML EditorVisual Studio Code allows you to make and preview changes to an application or website in real time, without needing to know code.
9. WYSIWYG SupportVisual Studio Code integrates a WYSIWYG editor to edit the look and content of a document, page, or file.
Customizable
Built-in terminal emulation
Code Completion
Multiple languages
GitHub integration
Supports Python
Source code debugging
C++
Graphical User Interface
Auto Update
Comments about Visual Studio Code as a Alternative to Vim
Most users think Visual Studio Code is a great Vim alternative.
filiphanes
Visual Studio Code is GUI only full IDE, not terminal based efficient text editor.
Negative comment•
0

IndigoLily
Can't be used from within terminal
Negative comment•
5

Guest
It is superslow and bloated. Even if you have 2-3 plugins you can tell the difference in speed and lightness of vim with vscode. Vim doesn't slow down at all even if you have a hell lot of plugins and now with neovim 0.5 release and lua substituting vimscript, there cannot be made a comparison between them
Negative comment•
0

Aleksandr Dikov
VSC has very good Vi extension what helps to mix Vi experience with well-integrated Microsoft solution.
Positive comment•
2
Sublime Text
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
188 Sublime Text alternatives
Sublime Text is a sophisticated text editor for code, html and prose - any kind of text file. You'll love the slick user interface and extraordinary features.
- - Sublime Text is the most popular commercial alternative to Vim.
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Sublime Text Features
1. LightweightSublime Text consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsSublime Text can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Syntax HighlightingSublime Text supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. No TrackingSublime Text will not track you or use your personal data.
5. Dark ModeSublime Text supports dark mode for comfortable usage in low light conditions.
6. AutocompletionSublime Text can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
7. Distraction-freeSublime Text has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
8. PortableSublime Text can be used from a USB stick or similar with no prior installation.
Customizable
Package Control
Clean design
Multiple Cursors
Text editing
Font Ligature Support
Simple text editor
Tabbed interface
Code review
High-dpi support
Opinions about Sublime Text as a Alternative to Vim
Most users think Sublime Text is a great Vim alternative.
VSCodium
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Code Editor
IDE
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Electron / Atom Shell
182 VSCodium alternatives
This repository contains a build file to generate FLOSS release binaries of Microsoft's Visual Studio Code - Open Source ("Code - OSS") project, the open source core of the proprietary Visual Studio Code.
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VSCodium Features
1. No TrackingVSCodium will not track you or use your personal data.
2. Privacy focusedVSCodium is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
3. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsVSCodium can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Works OfflineVSCodium can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
5. AutocompletionVSCodium can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
6. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in VSCodium without registration.
7. LightweightVSCodium consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
8. Syntax HighlightingVSCodium supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
9. Support for MarkDownVSCodium supports MarkDown for document formatting.
Prevent telemetry
Customizable
Git integration
MIT License
Minimap
Clean design
Support for Themes
Code Formatting
Support for 64 bit
C++
Neovim
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
85 Neovim alternatives
Neovim is Vim out of the box.
- - Neovim is the most popular Android alternative to Vim.
Suggest and vote on features
Neovim Features
1. LightweightNeovim consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsNeovim can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Syntax HighlightingNeovim supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. AutocompletionNeovim can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
Configurable
Lua scripting
Asynchronous
Terminal-based
Sane defaults
Vim
Comments about Neovim as a Alternative to Vim
Almost everyone thinks Neovim is a great Vim alternative.
all • positive • negative relevance • date
Colin Hughes
It's Vim except built with the future in mind, and certain backend improvements such as asynch processing
Top positive comment•
0

Guest
Clean, faster than Vim but based on that.
Top positive comment•
0

daviwalle
Neovim it's like Vim, but without packages that aren't needed
Positive comment•
-1

alerque
Lots of cleanup to terminal handling, concurrency so plugins don't choke the UI.
Positive comment•
1

Guest
Neovim is "literally the future of Vim". Compatibility with Vim, but built from the ground up for asynchronous plugins. A good replacement for GVim is all that's missing.
Positive comment•
1

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5 of 7 comments
Geany
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
PortableApps.com
Flathub
Flatpak
Snapcraft
136 Geany alternatives
Geany is a powerful, stable and lightweight programmer's text editor that provides tons of useful features without bogging down your workflow. It runs on Linux, Windows and macOS is translated into over 40 languages, and has built-in support for more than 50 programming...
Suggest and vote on features
Geany Features
1. LightweightGeany consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of Geany.
3. Syntax HighlightingGeany supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
4. Support for LaTeXGeany supports LaTeX for text and math equation formatting.
5. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsGeany can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
6. AutocompletionGeany can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
7. Code FormattingGeany supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
8. Batch EditingGeany allows you to select multiple items (tasks, files, images etc) and edit their properties all at once.
9. Ad-freeGeany doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
Multiplatform
Minimalistic
Code navigation
Shell integration
Automatic Indentation
Debian package compatible
Shortcut keys
Customizable
Support for Large File
Distraction-free
gedit
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
Chrome OS
BSD
GNOME
OpenSolaris
173 gedit alternatives
Official text editor of the GNOME desktop environment. Has syntax highlighting and is suitable for programming, with support for several languages. It is extensible with plugins.
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gedit Features
1. Lightweightgedit consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
2. Syntax Highlightinggedit supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
3. Extensible by Plugins/Extensionsgedit can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
4. Privacy focusedgedit is considered a privacy friendly alternative.
5. Works Offlinegedit can be used without the need to connect to the internet.
6. Ad-freegedit doesn't contain any form of external advertising.
7. Autocompletiongedit can predict and complete the rest of a word or phrase you're typing.
8. Spell Checkinggedit can detect and correct all types of grammar and spelling mistakes.
Customizable
Support for Unicode
Opinions about gedit as a Alternative to Vim
Almost everyone thinks gedit is a great Vim alternative.
GNU Emacs
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
Android
BSD
F-Droid
Haiku
Homebrew
160 GNU Emacs alternatives
GNU Emacs is an extensible, customizable text editor—and more. At its core is an interpreter for Emacs Lisp, a dialect of the Lisp programming language with extensions to support text editing. The features of GNU Emacs include:
Suggest and vote on features
GNU Emacs Features
1. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsGNU Emacs can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
2. Syntax HighlightingGNU Emacs supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
3. No registration requiredYou can use most of the features in GNU Emacs without registration.
4. Support for ThemesYou can use themes and templates to change the look and feel of GNU Emacs.
5. LightweightGNU Emacs consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
6. Support for scriptingGNU Emacs supports scripts and macros to automate or customize tasks.
7. No TrackingGNU Emacs will not track you or use your personal data.
8. Distraction-freeGNU Emacs has a distraction-free mode for when you need to focus.
9. Command line interfaceGNU Emacs either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Extensibility
Customizable
Org-mode
Self-documenting
Multi OS
Editable text color schemes
Terminal-based
Works Offline
Spell Checking
Ad-free
Comments about GNU Emacs as a Alternative to Vim
Most users think GNU Emacs is a great Vim alternative.
Guest
Maybe much better than Vi? ;)
Positive comment•
0
GNU nano
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
Haiku
132 GNU nano alternatives
GNU nano is a small and friendly text editor. Besides basic text editing, nano offers many extra features like an interactive search and replace, go to line and column number, auto-indentation, feature toggles, internationalization support, and filename tab completion.
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GNU nano Features
1. Command line interfaceGNU nano either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
Terminal-based
Search and Replace
Automatic Indentation
Comments about GNU nano as a Alternative to Vim
Almost everyone thinks GNU nano is a great Vim alternative.
Guest
No where near the shortcut capabilities, and also no built-in syntax highlighting!
Negative comment•
1
Kate
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Text Editor
Code Editor
IDE
Mac
Windows
Linux
BSD
KDE
130 Kate alternatives
The Kate project develops two main products: KatePart, the advanced editor component which is used in numerous KDE applications requiring a text editing component, and Kate, a MDI text editor application.
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Kate Features
1. Syntax HighlightingKate supports syntax highlighting for various programming and markup languages.
2. Extensible by Plugins/ExtensionsKate can be extended with add-ons, plugins and extensions.
3. Git SupportKate supports Git, a free and open source distributed version control system.
4. LightweightKate consumes less device resources compared to similar apps.
5. Support for MarkDownKate supports MarkDown for document formatting.
6. Code FormattingKate supports code formatting for multiple languages and code styles.
Native application
Themes
Editable text color schemes
Built-in terminal emulation
Tabbed interface
Built-in themes
Support for regular expressions